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Is there any reservation-making advantages to owning multiple weeks under Vistana?

dlpearson

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
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Resorts Owned
WKORN, SVV (Bella), MOC, MBP, 7MileBeach Club
Hi all,

I know the Vistana club fee is applied only to the first two weeks you own (and you don't pay any incremental club fees for the 3rd+ weeks). I know there are elite benefits for additional weeks (I own resale, so that's not of import) for owning multiple weeks.

My main question is: are there any advantages related to home week reservation windows if you own two weeks at the same resort (mandatory resort, if that makes any difference)? For example, on the Marriott side of things, if you own two weeks you can make reservations at 13 months, instead of 12. Is there anything similar on the Westin/Vistana side?
 
Hi all,

I know the Vistana club fee is applied only to the first two weeks you own (and you don't pay any incremental club fees for the 3rd+ weeks). I know there are elite benefits for additional weeks (I own resale, so that's not of import) for owning multiple weeks.

My main question is: are there any advantages related to home week reservation windows if you own two weeks at the same resort (mandatory resort, if that makes any difference)? For example, on the Marriott side of things, if you own two weeks you can make reservations at 13 months, instead of 12. Is there anything similar on the Westin/Vistana side?

No advantages
 
No. Everyone is on the same level playing field when it comes to reservations. It's one thing I love about Vistana.
 
Hi all,

I know the Vistana club fee is applied only to the first two weeks you own (and you don't pay any incremental club fees for the 3rd+ weeks). I know there are elite benefits for additional weeks (I own resale, so that's not of import) for owning multiple weeks.

My main question is: are there any advantages related to home week reservation windows if you own two weeks at the same resort (mandatory resort, if that makes any difference)? For example, on the Marriott side of things, if you own two weeks you can make reservations at 13 months, instead of 12. Is there anything similar on the Westin/Vistana side?
No and I hope it doesn’t change. But who can tell with MVC.
 
I don't know if this is what your looking for, but I think owning multiple weeks can be an advantage if you are going for multiple weeks. I frequently book 3 weeks when I book. This gives me an advantage over someone who wants to book 1 week starting next week or the week after. However I usually book at 8 months, not 12.

I can't test 12 months in my resort, because it is gold season. And I own platinum.
 
If you own enough to hit four star elite, then you are able to waitlist reservations when there is no availability. I have found this to be invaluable – in almost every case when I’ve tried to book something seven or eight months out and there is not availability, I go on the wait list and something usually frees up within a few weeks and I get the booking I wanted.

Without the waitlist, you’d have to check availability frequently (daily?) and just hope you manage to find something. I think you can have success with that too, it’s just a lot more work.
 
I don't know if this is what your looking for, but I think owning multiple weeks can be an advantage if you are going for multiple weeks. I frequently book 3 weeks when I book. This gives me an advantage over someone who wants to book 1 week starting next week or the week after. However I usually book at 8 months, not 12.

I believe to book 3 weeks on one reservation would require using StarOptions at 8 months or less. I'm not aware of a scenario of being able to book a Home Resort Period Reservation and get 3 weeks on the same reservation.
 
I believe to book 3 weeks on one reservation would require using StarOptions at 8 months or less. I'm not aware of a scenario of being able to book a Home Resort Period Reservation and get 3 weeks on the same reservation.

I think you're right. Even if you own three separate weeks at a given property, making a three week reservation is going to be three separate reservations if made during the Home Resort Period, because each reservation is attached to a different ownership week.

Once you hit 8 months in advance, then you're no longer reserving a week for a week, you're reserving with StarOptions, and so you can book three weeks on one reservation, assuming you have sufficient StarOptions to do so.

Sometimes that can result in a big savings. For example, this year because of Covid and changed plans, I cancelled earlier plans for WDW and rebooked for two weeks beginning next Saturday. I was able to get 13 nights for the StarOptions value of just one half of my lockoff week there, and so I traded the other half for Marriott points. So I'm basically getting almost an additional week for free.
 
Sometimes that can result in a big savings. For example, this year because of Covid and changed plans, I cancelled earlier plans for WDW and rebooked for two weeks beginning next Saturday. I was able to get 13 nights for the StarOptions value of just one half of my lockoff week there, and so I traded the other half for Marriott points. So I'm basically getting almost an additional week for free.
In order to get more nights for the same StarOptions, you have to either be booking a smaller unit or traveling in a lower season. You may be saving StarOptions, but you are sacrificing space. Traveling in lower seasons may not work for everyone.
 
I believe to book 3 weeks on one reservation would require using StarOptions at 8 months or less. I'm not aware of a scenario of being able to book a Home Resort Period Reservation and get 3 weeks on the same reservation.
The longest you could do would be 14 nights on a Flex reservation.
 
In order to get more nights for the same StarOptions, you have to either be booking a smaller unit or traveling in a lower season. You may be saving StarOptions, but you are sacrificing space. Traveling in lower seasons may not work for everyone.

Well, not really. This doesn't always work, but it sure worked this time. I have a two bedroom lockoff at WDW. I think all the ownerships are year-round there, but maybe I'm wrong — anyway, mine is "Premium Plus" and can be used at any time of the year. I often use it to get two weeks per year by using the large half for one week, and the small half for the other. (Often I get upgraded to the large half for both.) If I'm reserving during the home resort period, 9-12 months in advance, that's the most I can get, one week (or two if I split the lockoff) no matter what time of year I am reserving.

But if I reserve at 8 or less months prior and use StarOptions, then the StarOptions chart governs, and most weeks of the year are cheaper. In my case, I got 13 nights in the larger, Premium 1 BR unit, for a total of 79,200 StarOptions, which allowed me to trade the smaller half of the lockoff for Marriott Points. It's like getting an extra week for free. You can say I'm taking a lower season, but from my perspective, I'm not... I'm traveling when I want to travel, and if I'd booked 12 months ahead I wouldn't have gotten as much value out of my ownership.

It's going to vary by resort and what that resort's StarOptions chart looks like, so you're right, it may not work for everyone. I guess my point is that if you own in the "high season" (which may be the only season they sell at some properties) then you're cheating yourself if you book in the low season during the home resort reservation period. The trade-off is that you're almost guaranteed availability by booking far ahead.
 
Well, not really. This doesn't always work, but it sure worked this time. I have a two bedroom lockoff at WDW. I think all the ownerships are year-round there, but maybe I'm wrong — anyway, mine is "Premium Plus" and can be used at any time of the year. I often use it to get two weeks per year by using the large half for one week, and the small half for the other. (Often I get upgraded to the large half for both.) If I'm reserving during the home resort period, 9-12 months in advance, that's the most I can get, one week (or two if I split the lockoff) no matter what time of year I am reserving.

But if I reserve at 8 or less months prior and use StarOptions, then the StarOptions chart governs, and most weeks of the year are cheaper. In my case, I got 13 nights in the larger, Premium 1 BR unit, for a total of 79,200 StarOptions, which allowed me to trade the smaller half of the lockoff for Marriott Points. It's like getting an extra week for free. You can say I'm taking a lower season, but from my perspective, I'm not... I'm traveling when I want to travel, and if I'd booked 12 months ahead I wouldn't have gotten as much value out of my ownership.

It's going to vary by resort and what that resort's StarOptions chart looks like, so you're right, it may not work for everyone. I guess my point is that if you own in the "high season" (which may be the only season they sell at some properties) then you're cheating yourself if you book in the low season during the home resort reservation period. The trade-off is that you're almost guaranteed availability by booking far ahead.

Huh?

If you reserve during the Home Resort Period of 12-8 months you are only able to book during the weeks you own, Premium Plus weeks, which are 1-21 and 50-52. You can't book the other less expensive weeks until 8 months or less.
 
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Huh?

If you reserve during the Home Resort Period of 12-8 months you are only able to book during the weeks you own, Premium Plus weeks, which are 1-21 and 50-52. You can't book the other less expensive weeks until 8 months or less.
I don’t think that’s true. I’ve booked during other periods before, I think, during the 12 month ownership reservation period. If what you’re saying was true, then I was completely lied to on multiple occasions. (Of course, I wouldn’t be the first person to have been lied to by a timeshare sales rep.). I’m under the impression that my ownership entitles me to book at any time of the year. And I’ve owned for a long time, and I’ve always been able to book when I wanted to.

MAYBE I’ve only booked into less expensive weeks at 8 months or less, but I don’t think so. And I was definitely sold with the belief that I could book at any time of year.

Practically speaking, it may not make much difference, since I’ve had little trouble getting weeks when I wanted them.
 
I think you're right. Even if you own three separate weeks at a given property, making a three week reservation is going to be three separate reservations if made during the Home Resort Period, because each reservation is attached to a different ownership week.

And they may even require you to check out and check back in to a different room in the same view class Been there, done that.
 
And they may even require you to check out and check back in to a different room in the same view class Been there, done that.

When I've booked back-to-back reservations, they've always bent over backwards to allow me to stay in the same room for the whole period. They are always aware of the subsequent reservations when I check in, I've never even had to ask. But that's as a full owner at my home resort. It wouldn't surprised me if they treat resale owners or those exchanging into the property differently. They are certainly within their rights to make you check and check back in on the subsequent reservations.
 
I don’t think that’s true. I’ve booked during other periods before, I think, during the 12 month ownership reservation period. If what you’re saying was true, then I was completely lied to on multiple occasions. (Of course, I wouldn’t be the first person to have been lied to by a timeshare sales rep.). I’m under the impression that my ownership entitles me to book at any time of the year. And I’ve owned for a long time, and I’ve always been able to book when I wanted to.

MAYBE I’ve only booked into less expensive weeks at 8 months or less, but I don’t think so. And I was definitely sold with the belief that I could book at any time of year.

Practically speaking, it may not make much difference, since I’ve had little trouble getting weeks when I wanted them.

From the Vistana Signature Network Disclosure Guide:
At a Network Weeks Resort, during the Home Resort Reservation Period only 7-day Vacation Periods beginning on an established Check-In Day may be reserved, and no Network Member may reserve a Vacation Period in a Season or Unit type different from the Season and Unit type of the Network Member’s VOI.
 
When I've booked back-to-back reservations, they've always bent over backwards to allow me to stay in the same room for the whole period. They are always aware of the subsequent reservations when I check in, I've never even had to ask. But that's as a full owner at my home resort. It wouldn't surprised me if they treat resale owners or those exchanging into the property differently. They are certainly within their rights to make you check and check back in on the subsequent reservations.
I really don’t think the average check in desk staff would know (or care) about who is resale and who isn’t. They may treat exchangers a bit different but honestly I don’t think they give a rat’s butt about that either. What difference would it make to them? It certainly doesn’t affect their pay.

Most of the time, across all the timeshares we have, they will try to leave you in the same room if the reservation calls for it. Less for them to clean, less hassle for you In not having to move. Maybe if it were a fixed week/fixed unit you were staying in and the owner was going to need it. That would be the only circumstance I can think of that would require you to move.
 
I don’t think that’s true. I’ve booked during other periods before, I think, during the 12 month ownership reservation period. If what you’re saying was true, then I was completely lied to on multiple occasions. (Of course, I wouldn’t be the first person to have been lied to by a timeshare sales rep.). I’m under the impression that my ownership entitles me to book at any time of the year. And I’ve owned for a long time, and I’ve always been able to book when I wanted to.

MAYBE I’ve only booked into less expensive weeks at 8 months or less, but I don’t think so. And I was definitely sold with the belief that I could book at any time of year.

Practically speaking, it may not make much difference, since I’ve had little trouble getting weeks when I wanted them.
All of your resorts, Hawaii and Flex (excluding WDW have year round season. Hawaii is basically 1-52 with perhaps a few event weeks that were sold separately, but in Hawaii you can book any week of the year. At 8 months you can book anywhere for any time of the year based on the points you have.
 
From the Vistana Signature Network Disclosure Guide:
At a Network Weeks Resort, during the Home Resort Reservation Period only 7-day Vacation Periods beginning on an established Check-In Day may be reserved, and no Network Member may reserve a Vacation Period in a Season or Unit type different from the Season and Unit type of the Network Member’s VOI.

I own in Platinum Plus. I just went online to see if I could reserve a week next year at this time, which is NOT the "Platinum Plus" period. I can — and during the Home Resort Reservation window, it would cost me 81,000 StarOptions for the full 2 BR lockoff unit. So I think we're both wrong — firstly, as a "Platinum Plus" owner, I can book at any time of the year during the Home Resort period, not just the high-value Platinum weeks. I don't dispute what the VSN guide might say, but in practice, it doesn't work that way.

And secondly, I'm wrong that I save StarOptions by waiting until 8 months prior to reserve, because even reserving in the Home Option period, I'm only going to be charged the lower value of 81,000 points, leaving me 67,100 points to do something else with.

So I wasn't misled by sales, I do have Home Resort access all year long, and I don't get "cheated" out of any StarOptions if I reserve into the lower-value weeks.

Screen Shot 2020-10-16 at 4.34.51 PM.jpg
 
I own in Platinum Plus. I just went online to see if I could reserve a week next year at this time, which is NOT the "Platinum Plus" period. I can — and during the Home Resort Reservation window, it would cost me 81,000 StarOptions for the full 2 BR lockoff unit. So I think we're both wrong — firstly, as a "Platinum Plus" owner, I can book at any time of the year during the Home Resort period, not just the high-value Platinum weeks. I don't dispute what the VSN guide might say, but in practice, it doesn't work that way.

And secondly, I'm wrong that I save StarOptions by waiting until 8 months prior to reserve, because even reserving in the Home Option period, I'm only going to be charged the lower value of 81,000 points, leaving me 67,100 points to do something else with.

So I wasn't misled by sales, I do have Home Resort access all year long, and I don't get "cheated" out of any StarOptions if I reserve into the lower-value weeks.

View attachment 27600
With that you aren't using your WDW week to make the reservation. It is wanting to use your Westin Flex Home Options to make the reservation. You can't use your WDW week to make a reservation outside of your Home Season more than 8 months in advance
 
All of your resorts, Hawaii and Flex (excluding WDW have year round season. Hawaii is basically 1-52 with perhaps a few event weeks that were sold separately, but in Hawaii you can book any week of the year. At 8 months you can book anywhere for any time of the year based on the points you have.

Yes, that's what I thought, and what I started out saying... even though the Palm Desert properties have lower- and higher-value weeks, I think they are all sold as year-round? I don't remember being given any choice as to whether I bought Premium Plus or a lower tier, I don't think they sell a lower tier there. But another member was trying to convince me that I couldn't use my Home Resort period to reserve a lower-tier date, which isn't true.

In Hawaii, I don't think any of the properties have different tiers (which is what you said.) Christmas and New Years weeks were/are sold as special weeks and so it's really tough to reserve those if you don't own that specific week, but it's not impossible (I've done it.) FWIW, never again... every restaurant and business in Maui seems to jack up their prices during the last two weeks of December, I've never felt so ripped off in my life. Not to mention it's crowded beyond belief. But that's a different subject! :p

Flex is year round too (agreeing with you again.)
 
If you had year round usage on your week, the reservation system would show this instead when making a reservation

1602891981993.png
 
With that you aren't using your WDW week to make the reservation. It is wanting to use your Westin Flex Home Options to make the reservation. You can't use your WDW week to make a reservation outside of your Home Season more than 8 months in advance
OOOHHHHH.... hmm. That's certainly possible. Maybe I couldn't make a low-season reservation if I didn't have Flex (during the home period)? I thought I'd previously done so, but I can't be sure.

Well, then that helps validate my decision a couple of years ago to add some Flex points, because it gives me more flexibility, and I like flexibility.

Controller, you might be right, I don't really have any way to test it. It may just be my Flex ownership that's giving me the ability to reserve in October a year in advance. My Flex is EOY, so maybe I'll remember to try it next year (2022 will be my Flex "off year.")
 
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